Alfred Gossner emphasized that his decision is a purely personal one: “I have served on the executive board of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft for the past 15 years. In that time, I’ve had the privilege of experiencing firsthand the truly positive developments at Fraunhofer. In addition to more than doubling both its revenue and workforce, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft has made significant improvements to its business and operational model. In this way, it has enhanced not only its public profile, but also its contribution to economic development. Alongside the successes of the past 15 years, the close bonds I feel with the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and the people who work here are primarily the result of the nature of the work we do and the culture of collaboration within the various committees.” Prof. Gossner, who will turn 67 in October, said his decision to step down was based on a reevaluation of his personal priorities. “I’m looking to make an overall reduction in my work obligations in order to devote more time to my family and personal interests. I’d also like to realign my remaining commitments with a view to having fewer administrative duties and more room for fundamental or strategic topics – as a member of supervisory boards, educational bodies or public organizations, for instance.”
Prof. Reimund Neugebauer, president of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft: “Since joining the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft in 2002, Alfred Gossner has had a major impact on many areas of the organization, including making lasting improvements to the system governing the allocation of base funding for Fraunhofer Institutes and playing an active role in the founding of the Fraunhofer Group for Innovation Research. I regret but respect Prof. Gossner’s decision and, on behalf of everyone at Fraunhofer, would like to sincerely thank him for the fruitful collaboration and his years of dedicated service.”
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft